TheToy Storyfranchise is a record-breaking animated adventure, with many wonderful characters who come and go.Toy Storyhas always primarily been about Woody the Cowboy (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) — as well as a handful of regular supporting characters — and how their different personalities and viewpoints showcase a unique philosophy of childhood.Over the years, Woody and Buzz have befriended many other wacky toys,from their original crew to thecast ofToy Story 4.
Some briefly seen supporting characters in theToy Storymovies prompt additional questions about the world, or are so wonderfully funny in the brief time on screen that they arguably deserved more of it. Due to the franchise’s acclaim, even minor characters have been voiced by A-listers, delivering some hilarious performances. The series has yet to see a bad movie heading intoToy Story 5, but even its tight narrative pacing misses out on opportunities to better use certain toy characters.
10RC (John Ratzenberger)
From Toy Story & Toy Story 2
Toy Storymakes its human/humanoid toy characters the stars — i.e., Woody, Buzz, Jessie (Joan Cusack), Bo Peep (Annie Potts), etc. — missing out on some good characters who are widely popular toys in real life. Like RC, who is a classic, being a remote-controlled race car.RC plays a vital role in the iconic finale of the firstToy Story,one that is undermined when Woody and Buzz are going to make it to the car via rocket. Additionally, while RC barely speaks, he is voiced by the Pixar icon John Ratzenberger.
30 Most Memorable Quotes From The Toy Story Movies
The Toy Story films are filled with hilarious and heartwarming moments, usually accompanied by some great quotes. These are the best lines (so far).
If RC had been given a bigger role, it would have stood out amongall of Ratzenberger’s Pixar rolesas it might have led to him bouncing off himself, when he also voices Hamm the piggy bank. However, as far as the action is concerned, RC is replaced by Bullseye inToy Story 2and is given away sometime before the events ofToy Story 3, ending the arc of one of the franchise’s most underappreciated heroes.
9Mr. Pricklepants (Timothy Dalton)
From Toy Story 3 & Toy Story 4
Toy Story 3introduces a new batch of toys, both at the daycare and in Bonnie’s room. The latter group is arguably more interesting because they resonate with the original gang, having lived together in one room for a long time. Like Andy, Bonnie brings together her variously branded toys into single, imaginative adventures. One staple of her gang is the Thespian porcupine, whose theatrics are only briefly seen.
Mr. Pricklepants seriously talks about staying in character and directs plays for the toys' viewing pleasurewhen Bonnie is not around (as seen during the credits scenes). He and Trixie (Kristen Schaal) both showcase a fun aspect of theToy Storyworld where the toys have their own interests, like the performing arts and video games, and socialize with toys who live elsewhere. These beats work best when done sparingly, but it would still be fun to see more glimpses of Mr. Pricklepants' productions in the next movie.
8Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki)
From Toy Story 4
Toy Story 4is pulling off a wild balancing act where the story is introducing several overly dramatic new toys voiced by megastars of the industry,at the cost of some older characters having major arcs. Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele), as well as Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), probably get the right amount of screen time for what the characters were conceived to be. Representing more interesting possibilities is Bo Peep’s right-hand woman, Officer Giggle McDimples.
Giggle has to deal with being even tinnier in a world where all toys are smaller beings; she is an amazing combination of tough and chipper. She and Bo Peep have been friends for a while, as Bo has told Giggle about Woody. There is a whole possibility of adventures from the perspective of this character, whichToy Story 4might have delved into if it showed more of Bo Peep’s activities in the intervening years.
7Wheezy (Joe Ranft/Robert Goulet)
From Toy Story 2
Wheezy is introduced as a melancholy illustration of what awaits the toys when their kids grow up, a major theme in the first sequel. However,Toy Story 2masterfully handles this subject ahead of the more over-the-top approach ofToy Story 3, which is what makes it thebestToy Storymovie. Sadly, Wheezy serves his purpose of complementing the main storyline in this installment and is never seen again, confirmed to have also been given away in between movies.
Before this,Wheezy bringsToy Story 2to a glitzy close with a perfect reprise of the first movie’s famous song,with Wheezy getting vocal backup from a trio of Barbie dolls. Wheezy’s organic arc has ended, making it hard to have included him inToy Story 3or4, no matter how much people might have wanted it. However, he could possibly deliver an emotional cameo inToy Story 5, a challenging but intriguing idea.
6Lenny (Joe Ranft)
Lenny is also voiced by the late Joe Ranft, while the character only appears in the first two movies and only speaks in the first.Toy Storyhas likely missed its chance to do something with this toy, as they are unlikely to recast the character at this point. Lenny stands out as a slower-moving, more observant member of the gang, who does have the natural ability to see things from far away.
Had he been a little more developed,Lenny could have been a wiser voice among the toys during all of Woody and Buzz’s antics in the first two movies.In the first couple of installments, the narrative favors the more gimmicky toys, rather than ones with understated designs. However, Lenny could have been very creatively used if his role had not been in the action, but to deliver bits of poignant dialogue.
5Stinky Pete (Kelsey Grammer)
Stinky Pete also, unfortunately, was only written for one movie, but it would be wild if he suddenly reappeared in the sequel.Pete is the only member of the Woody’s Roundup gang who did not go on to become a regular part of the series,and it feels like this might have been a missed opportunity. Kelsey Grammer gives a suitably sharp, authoritative voice performance as Pete, who has a great dynamic with the other Old West toys.
Toy Story 2’s Villain Secretly Predicted The One Part Of Toy Story 3 That Made Us All Cry
There’s an interesting connection between Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 that was set in motion by a franchise antagonist in the 1999 Pixar sequel.
Pete also perfectly goes from being their friendly father figure to their worst enemy at the drop of a hat. However,Toy Storymissed the chance to show more of him interacting with the other characters, especially the similarly grumpy Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) — they might have been best friends or passionate rivals. Furthermore, when Jesse’s backstory is given some focus,Toy Story 2takes the easy route by making Pete the bitter villain.
4Peas-In-A-Pod (Charlie Bright, Amber Krone & Brianna Maiwand)
Bonnie’s “Peas-in-a-Pod” plush toys — whose names are Peatey, Peanelope, and Peatrice — are also only briefly seen during the parts of the movie when Woody is with Bonnie’s toys and are completely adorable.Toy Storydoesn’t take the chance to fully develop characters who are less conventional,but very creative toys like this,and rarely makes them main characters. Tiny figurines and talking vegetables are tons of fun, butToy Storydefinitely prefers its traditional dolls and stuffed animals for the needs of the plot.
The Peas' main moments are questioning if Woody is really a cowboy, being juggled by Bonnie’s Totoro stuffed animal, and annoying Mr. Potato Head. However, if they had been given more screen time, they could have had a soft trio rivalry with the green aliens. Movies and TV shows have done this before when characters or character sets with a similar gimmick come across each other, and it would have been a lot of fun inToy Story.
3Dolly (Bonnie Hunt)
The brief exposition on Dolly’s character frames her as an interesting personality in theToy Storyworld. For instance, she offers Woody the chance to change his name before he settles into a new room —“And that’s coming from a doll named Dolly,“she says. She is also perfectly kind and comported, which breaks an implicit rule theToy Storyfranchise has followed up until now.
While Bonnie casts Dolly as the evil witch in her games, Dolly is completely friendly. Hamm and Mr. Potato Head were once Andy’s imaginary villains, and while they are not villains in the story, they do have harsher, more sardonic personalities.The fact thatToy Story 3makes Dolly such a simple, straightforward character contradictorily makes her interesting— she is just a girl’s doll who is happy to help other toys and play the villainess. Yet the movie also doesn’t allow her much screen time with so much else going on.
2Chatter Telephone (Teddy Newton)
From Toy Story 3
Like Lenny, the grizzled Chatter Telephone inToy Story 3isn’t designed to play a huge role in the action.Toy Story 3sets out to have a jaded voice like Red inThe Shawshank Redemption,giving Woody key information on how to escape, but arguably does not completely follow through on the character. The last that is seen of him is after Lotso’s (Ned Beatty) gang brings him forward, very beaten up, the implication being that they apparently brutally interrogated him about the gang’s plan.
The dark and gritty talking telephone is interesting and helps the plot progress, but it’s not totally clear whatToy Story 3wanted to accomplish with this character. He only further illustrates Lotso’s cruel regime before he is shown repaired at the party during the credits. His character may have warranted a couple of additional scenes to justify his presence.
1Barbie (Jodi Benson)
Barbie almost had a major role in the firstToy Storybut missed out because of copyright issues with Mattel, who only allowed her to be used in the franchise after its huge success. In the second movie, Barbie isn’t yet a major character, with the writers scattering different Barbie dolls around the story just because they can.It is inToy Story 3that Barbie became a definitive character,voiced by Disney legend Jodi Benson.
Toy Story 5 Will Win Me Over If It Is Brave Enough To Do What All Other Sequels Avoided
As the fourth sequel in the franchise, Toy Story 5 needs to take a huge step that all its predecessors failed to carry out, even if it is risky.
Barbie’s moments inToy Story 3are great, but there should have been more of them. She goes from being Ken’s (Michael Keaton) stereotypical match to being viciously defiant in a moment, showing herself to be clever and loyal. Barbie is also shown to be a new leader at Sunnyside Daycare after Lotso is overthrown. The overall story prevented Barbie from having too much to do inToy Story, but she is another strong character it would have been amazing to see more of.
Toy Story
Toy Storyis a beloved animated franchise created by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The series centers on the secret life of toys, primarily focusing on the friendship between Woody, a cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger action figure. The films explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and growing up, resonating with audiences of all ages.Toy Storyis widely credited with revolutionizing animation, as the first film was the first fully computer-animated feature. The franchise is not only a critical success but also a cultural icon, influencing a generation of films and storytelling in animation.
Release date
1995
1999
2010
2019
2026
